Wasps...

Friday in Kirkcudbright

On Friday I had my second mentor meeting with Morag MacPherson, this time meeting at her lovely studio. She is so lucky to a beautiful space with 14 others at the Wasps Studios in Kirkcudbright. We sat down and tried to make a list of what I'm going to be making and tried to make a plan for now up until June. To break the day up we went a walk around Kirkcudbright to visit a few studios and shops there were open at this time of year (as its still the winter season.) 

Wasps Studios Kirkcubright-This linked townhouse development, known as Claverhouse and Cannonwalls, provides 14 artist studio spaces

Jo Gallant

Once person we did visit was textile artist Jo Gallant, with her own studio and shop in Kirkcudbright. Spending a lot of my younger years in Kirkcudbright, Jo's shop has always been a place that has stood out to me in my memories. Her work is so warming with its vibrant colours, with strong images that never fail to take me back to Dumfries and Gallaway. After specking with Jo it was very interesting to find out that Jo herself started out in textiles as a weaver, just like me....

Jo Gallant

Jo Gallant- Taken From Spring Fling Website

My cushions in dye-painted velvets and appliqued silk range from bold colour-blocks to quirky animals and birds, my cotton and linen cushions have subtle landscape panels or vibrant strips of colour.  I will also be displaying wall-hangings based on ideas from the landscape which utilise and exploit the qualities of transparency, layering and texture available by using a variety of fabrics and techniques.  Playing with ideas relating to depth, distance and reflection is a current obsession.  I will have notebooks, ideas and work in progress on show over the weekend.

Jo Gallant

More Information

www.waspsstudios.org.uk

www.spring-fling.co.uk/artists/jo-gallant

www.jogallant.co.uk

Jo Gallant new Facebook Page

Love Coral X

Threads...

The Weaving Process Part One

Warping Up

Stretching the Warp

Separating the Warp on the Cross sticks

Threading the Heddles

Pulling Through the Reed

Pictures from the last two weeks of me warping up the loom...

CoralBeattieWovenTextiles

@MadeByCoral

Love Coral X

Opposites Attract...

My Inspiration

One of my biggest inspirations to my work has come from a very traditional source. While researching traditional forms of weaving and traditional patterns, I came across a book of traditional Moroccan textiles and dress. I was hooked, the colours, the bold geometric and mixed patterns just jumped out at me and I fell in love...

And so using these ideas and influences as the building blocks to my own woven textile collections, which started during my time at The Glasgow School of Art and now carrying on with my Spring Fling Bursary. I really wish to challenge what colours and patterns can be placed together in the one piece, as they say opposites attract. I also wish to bring new interest into woven textiles and maybe bring a new audience to this craft, and try to push the boundaries of what peoples ideas are of woven textiles.

Shutting myself away this weekend doing lots of weaving and setting up new warps. Will also be finishing my piece for the Spring Fling Taster Exhibition...hand in on FRIDAY!

Love Coral X

Just a Taste...

Production Has Started

After a little bit of drama getting the loom I am renting up and running, this weekend saw me begin weaving my new fabrics for the Spring Fling Exhibition coming up in June. Which I know is months away but I have so much I want to make and such a big exhibition to fill- time really is already ticking  away so lets get weaving!

All Artists and Makers taking part in this years Spring Fling are also taking part in the Spring Fling Taster Exhibition, and for this everyone is given a metre by metre space to exhibit a piece of their work and this gives the visitors a taste of what is to come this June....

Pictures from this weekend

Just a sneaky peak at what I will be showcasing at the Taster Exhibition, which takes place on Friday 2nd March between 6-8pm at Gracefield Arts Centre...

p.s other exciting news- I have extended my time exhibiting at The Mill on the Fleet to the full month of June. 




Love Coral X

Digital Love...

Morag Macpherson

Wednesday saw me having my first session with my Spring Fling Mentor- Printed Textile Designer Morag Macpherson, I feel I have a lot to learn but I'm sure Morag is going to help me along the way...

Images of Morag's Work

My practice involves surface pattern design. I research themes behind collections extensively. I see shapes everywhere i look, photograph them and interpret these into line drawings. I create motifs which i then repeat and colour on computer. The finished patterns are digitally printed onto fabric. This process allows me complete freedom of colour expression, with no restrictions on my pattern creation. I work in silk, linen, wool, cotton and paper. I make scarves, cushions and sell fabric, wallpaper by the metre. I also patchwork kimono, skirts, wall tapestries and bags.

(By Morag Macphearson taken from http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/artists/morag-macpherson) 

Really looking Forward to working and learning from Morag...

More Information-

Morag Macpherson

Spring Fling/Morag Macphearson

CoralBeattieWovenTextiles

Twiiter-Follow @MadeByCoral

Love Coral X

Glasgow Girls....

My Time at GSA 

I just wanted to used this post to share with you all my wonderful memories studying Textile Design at The Glasgow School of Art. Over my 4 years there everything I learned, everything I become involved in and everyone I met has got me where I am today...so sending my love to you all...

 

...we survived it together!

Love Coral X

P.S find me on twitter- @MadeByCoral